Childhood ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
What is
Childhood ADHD?
ADHD is a neurological condition that affects around 5% of the population. It can affect anyone from all different walks of life.
It is important to remember that ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, diet, or social circumstances. It is something that individuals are born with, and this means that symptoms are usually noticed before the age of 13.
What are the Symptoms of ADHD?
The symptoms of ADHD are varied and can impact on many aspects of an individuals life, whether it be education, occupation, relationships, finances or social circumstances. Common symptoms are as follows:
Inattention
Making careless mistakes / failing to give close attention to details
Difficulties sustaining attention
Difficulties listening and with “zoning out”
Difficulties following through or finishing tasks
Losing or misplacing things
Forgetfulness
Difficulties in organisation and time management
Avoiding and procrastinating tasks
Getting distracted easily
Hyperfocus
Becoming highly focussed for prolonged periods of time to the point you lose track of everything else going on around you. Please note this is for tasks that are particularly mentally stimulating to the individual
Hyperactivity / Impulsivity
Fidgeting (playing with pens, bouncing leg, biting nails, fidgeting with hands/feet)
Physical restlessness
Mental restlessness (racing thoughts, particularly when trying to relax)
Difficulties relaxing
Difficulties with patience and waiting
Difficulties in social situations (being loud, interrupting, talking excessively)
Becoming easily bored
Taking risks
Making spur of the moment decisions
Difficulties Regulating Mood
Mood Swings: Rapid changes in emotional state.
Irritability: Easily frustrated or annoyed by situations.
Quick Temper: Tendency to become angry quickly.
Impatience: Struggling with waiting or delays.
Low Self-Esteem: Negative self-image or lack of confidence.
Inability to Deal with Stress: Difficulty managing pressure or challenging situations.
What are the Symptoms of ADHD?
The symptoms of ADHD are varied and can impact on many aspects of an individuals life, whether it be education, occupation, relationships, finances or social circumstances. Common symptoms are as follows:
Inattention
- Making careless mistakes / failing to give close attention to details
- Difficulties sustaining attention
- Difficulties listening and with “zoning out”
- Difficulties following through or finishing tasks
- Difficulties in organisation and time management
- Avoiding and procrastinating tasks
- Losing or misplacing things
- Forgetfulness
- Getting distracted easily
Hyperfocus
- Becoming highly focussed for prolonged periods of time to the point you lose track of everything else going on around you. Please note this is for tasks that are particularly mentally stimulating to the individual
Hyperactivity / Impulsivity
- Fidgeting (playing with pens, bouncing leg, biting nails, fidgeting with hands/feet)
- Physical restlessness
- Mental restlessness (racing thoughts, particularly when trying to relax)
- Difficulties relaxing
- Difficulties with patience and waiting
- Difficulties in social situations (being loud, interrupting, talking excessively)
- Becoming easily bored
- Taking risks
- Making spur of the moment decisions
Difficulties regulating Mood
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Quick temper
- Impatience
- Low self-esteem
- Inability to deal with stress
How do we diagnose
Childhood ADHD
At Harley Street Mental Health we diagnose ADHD through the use of a structured clinical interview that has specifically been developed to assess for ADHD in young people. We understand that attending these appointments can be nervous for both the child and individual with parental responsibility, and therefore our experienced psychiatrists will be there to support you throughout the whole assessment.
Prior to your appointment we will need the following things:
01.
Speak to your GP to ensure that they will be able to prescribe medication as part of a shared care agreement once treatment has been completed with our service.If they are not able to prescribe, then your Child’s ADHD care will need to remain 100% private under Harley Street Mental Health.
02.
A summary care record from your GP. This can be accessed through the NHS app, or by phoning your GP directly.
03.
Filled in pre-assessment questionnaires by yourself, the child and someone from your child’s school or learning environment that interacts with them regularly.
- We expect the individual with parental responsibility to attend these appointments. You will be asked about your child’s development and milestones so it is helpful if you can have this information to hand (when they first walked, talked, potty trained).
- If you have any school reports or communications showing how your child has progressed this is also very helpful. One thing that we often find very helpful, is if your child’s personal health record / red book is brought along to the appointment.
- If your child meets the diagnostic criteria, we can talk about the different treatment options that are available and come to a shared decision on how to progress.
- Prior to the initiation of any treatment we will need to know your child’s height, weight, blood pressure and pulse rate. We will need to know these at each follow up appointment too.
- After the appointment, your diagnostic report will be emailed to you within 72 hours provided we have received all the questionnaires. If the questionnaires are not completed in time a diagnosis, report, and treatment plan cannot be finalized until these are received. There will be an additional charge if these are received more than 7 days after the appointment. If medication is prescribed this will be sent to your nominated pharmacy within 5 working days of approval.
- Following the appointment we ask you to book a follow up at least every 4 weeks whilst we titrate your child's medications, monitor side effects and get them stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
A childhood ADHD assessment at Harley Street Mental Health is a comprehensive evaluation designed to identify symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in children and young people. Our specialists CAMHS consultant psychiatrists conduct detailed interviews with parents, collect teacher reports, and use gold-standard tools such as the Conners Rating Scales and the DIVA for Children. Our assessments help families receive a clear diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan to support their child’s success at school, at home, and socially.
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) provides ADHD assessments through the NHS, but waiting times can often be very long. A private childhood ADHD assessment at Harley Street Mental Health offers faster access, more personalised care, and a thorough evaluation using the same high clinical standards. Our team provides detailed diagnostic reports that are recognised by schools and GPs, helping families access the support they need without delay.
Yes, at Harley Street Mental Health, we recognise that some children struggle primarily with attention and focus issues without being hyperactive. This presentation, historically known as Childhood ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), is now formally diagnosed as ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Presentation. Our assessments are designed to accurately diagnose all types of ADHD to ensure your child receives the right support.
Harley Street Mental Health is committed to providing the highest quality private ADHD assessments for children and young people. Our assessments are led by experienced consultant psychiatrists, use gold-standard diagnostic tools, and provide comprehensive reports for school and GP use. Families choose us for our fast access to appointments, compassionate approach, and trusted reputation for delivering the best childhood ADHD assessments in the UK.
After a diagnosis, Harley Street Mental Health provides a full support package, including advice on medication options, behavioural strategies, school accommodations, and emotional support for your child and family. If medication is appropriate, we offer a carefully monitored titration process to find the safest and most effective dose. We also provide ongoing follow-up care to ensure your child continues to thrive. To find out more information about our pricing please visit our pricing page here
Yes, if you are currently on a long NHS CAMHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment, you can access a fast, private childhood ADHD assessment with us. We can provide full diagnostic evaluations and treatment recommendations, and our reports can often be shared with your NHS GP or school to support your child while awaiting further services.
How do I book an appointment?
Booking is quick and easy. Simply visit our website, select your service, and choose a suitable time.
Do you offer in-person and virtual consultations?
Yes, we provide both in-person assessments at 10 Harley Street and secure virtual consultations.
How soon will I receive my assessment report?
You will receive your detailed assessment report within 3 to 5 days after your consultation.
Are your clinicians qualified and accredited?
Absolutely. Our team consists of GMC-registered doctors and accredited specialists following NICE guidelines.
Can I get a repeat prescription?
Yes, we offer a straightforward repeat prescription service for ongoing treatment management.
How do we treat Childhood ADHD?
Unfortunately there is no cure for ADHD, but it can be managed through advice and support, alongside medications.
There are a number of different medications available to treat ADHD and these will be discussed with you at the appointment.
Each individual can respond differently to medication. What may work ell for one person may not for another which is why we have titration appointments post diagnosis.
The first line medications for ADHD are known as stimulants. They boost and balance levels of neurotransmitters with the aim of improving symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. They can be prescribed as long acting medications, or shorter acting medications. If these are not tolerated we can discuss alternatives such as non-stimulants.
Book your assessment today
Have a glance at the calendar and select a good time for you.